Description
This pyrite is from the Huanzala Mine, Huallanca, Dos de Mayo Povince, Huanco Department, Peru. This a predominately lead-zinc mine but 63 other mineral species can be found there. It is one of the premier locales for pyrite specimens. They can vary in morphology from cubic to dipyramidal octahedrans and every combination in between. It is a sulfide containing the elements Fe and S. These large crystals have sharp pyritohedral habits, a bright, brassy, gold color and mirror, metallic, luster. This piece has a high iron content which accounts for it’s bright luster after being collected over twenty years ago. It is a mound like formation made up of dozens of bright golden crystals. The largest crystal is about 11 mm across. This piece measures 3 x 2 5/8 x 1 3/8 or 76 x 66 x 35 mm.
